This little work is the
outcome of a series of lectures given by me at intervals during the last
twelve years to different Highland Societies. It is also an expression
of the indignation which so much false criticism of the Great War Pipe
of the Highlands, repeated in my hearing year after year, has aroused
within me.

I take this opportunity
of apologising for the style and diction of the bookit is difficult for
one so unused to the pen as I am, to change the spoken into the written
word.

The few sentences in
Gaelic are spelt for the most part phonetically.

My best thanks are due to
all who have helped me in any way, and especially to those kind friends
who have put themselves to much trouble and expense in their endeavour
to add to my collection of Bagpipes.

In two or three
instances, I have spoken in depreciation of other peoples writings, but
the reputation of these writers stands too high to be affected by the
criticisms of a single and unknown individual like myself.

The motives which have
impelled me to write have nothing personal in them.

My whole life has been
devoted to the relief of suffering, nor would I hurt for the sake of
hurting, but if anything I have said here in defence of the dear old
Bagpipe should happen to give offence to any man,even unto the least
of these,I here and now heartily apologise.

In conclusion, allow me
to state that no one can be more alive to the many imperfections of this
work to its many inaccuraciesthan I am ; therefore gentle reader,
however severe your criticism otherwise may be,

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